Doctors have vowed to reduce waiting times after residents reported a five week delay for appointments.

Councillors say The Eastwood Group Practice in Belfairs has promised to tackle the issue after a meeting with councillors and support for change from Anna Firth MP for Southend West.

Belfairs councillors met with bosses from the practice recently to raise residents’ concerns and secure changes, backed by Southend West MP Anna Firth.

Following the meeting, the surgery insisted changes were being made, including improvements to the telephone and online booking systems as well as hiring a new GP.

Councillor Lesley Salter said: “The main issue for patients is being able to access the practice to make an appointment, so this isn’t a criticism of the staff nor about the standard of care. “We thank the practice for meeting with us to hear residents’ concerns and are pleased they have agreed to make a number of improvements.

“Access to a good doctor’s surgery is really important, and we will continue to work with the practice to ensure residents are able to see a doctor when they need to.”

Anna Firth, Member of Parliament for Southend West, added: “Lesley is absolutely right, access to a good doctor is vital and I am pleased to see our councillors in Belfairs are just as passionate about improving our local health services as I am – especially getting back to face-to-face GP appointments.

“I will continue to make the case in Parliament for the health improvements we need here in Southend West, including at our hospital, and support the work of our local councillors too.”

Dr. Zaidi, Practice Manager of Eastwood Group Practice, said: "As a practice we are offering more appointments than we ever have and have always offered face to face appointments. We are always reviewing the access and availability of our appointments and we are currently offering 25% of our appointments as online and book in advance. 

"We have currently employed a new salary GP, who started at the practice this week and we are always actively looking to recruit. 

"We are also looking at a new telephone system, which will improve access for our patients to call the surgery."